FX6 UNDERWATER HOUSING FX6 - Gates Underwater Products

Reliable. Light & Compact. Sony + Gates Performance. FX6

The FX6 Underwater Housing is, in every respect, what you've come to expect from Gates: simplicity and durability yet easy setup and operation; full camera control; perfect buoyancy / trim; field serviceability; Seal Check "know before you go" peace of mind; and Gates exclusive Lens Gear Drive system supports a vast array of lenses -- mirrorless, cinema, anamorphic, and more.

Gates FX6 Housing goes further with an easy to see angled rear LCD window, and a side control window for a clear view of camera functions accessible in-water. Available FX6 useful options include surface SDI video, top-mounted External Monitor, and topside camera / lens control via Sony RM-30P + Gates MultiCon surface tether system. Perhaps most important, Gates FX6 Housing is an affordable, performance-to-price workhorse.

Protecting your ROI? FX6 Housing carries forward Gates system-wide, plug-and-play Precision Port and Stackable Port Ring system. Gates legendary customer support is, naturally, behind the FX6 Housing. Gates professionals know that failure is not an option. They know: Don't take a chance....take a GATES!

Compatible Cameras: Sony ILME-FX6V

Key Features

Compact, Travelable.

Among it's many strengths, the FX6 Housing is well-fitted to the Sony FX6 camera. This means a small, low profile system that's easy to manage both above and below water.

Fully Integrated Monitor

Comfortable 15° view angle and daylight-viewable, Gates FX6 has an easy-to-see rear view window to the Sony FX6 LCD (included with FX6 camera).

Seal Check Lite

Don't rely on a binary red/green light to keep your precious camera safe. Seal Check Lite's precision vacuum gauge puts you in charge of the go / no go decision. When unexpected things happen (and they do happen), Seal Check Lite is a troubleshooter, locating leaks and rapid return to action.

Extensive Lens Support

Gates unique Lens Gear Drive system is versatile, adaptable to mirrorless, cinema, anamorphic and specialized (e.g. Laowa Periprobe) glass.

Full Camera Control you can See

FX6 side control window is a clear view of all key camera functions accessible while underwater.

Clean, Uncomplicated Reliable Design

A Gates mantra: simplicity = reliability: Convenience details are nice, but not at the expense of function, purpose, results.

Adjustable Buoyancy / Trim

Gates trim system lets you establish perfect buoyancy and balance underwater -- the key to stable, fluid shots.

2-Year Warranty.
Legendary factory direct support.

Gates is synonymous with reliability and support, and only Gates offers a 2-year, renewable warranty on all housings.

Specifications

Controls

3x Direct Mechanical Lens Gear Drives
POWER switch
REC Start / Stop
Variable ND Filter
ND Auto
Multi Function Dial
Multi Function Dial Select
Push Auto Focus
ISO / GAIN Button
WHT BAL Button
SHUTTER Button
MENU Button
CANCEL / BACK Button
IRIS Button
DISPLAY
S&Q / ASSIGN 1 Button
ASSIGN 2 Button
ASSIGN 3 Button
WB SET
MONITOR Buttons
- PEAKING
- ZEBRA
- Assign #9 Button

Dimensions:

FX6 Dimensional Drawing

Construction

Machined Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodized finish
Stainless steel hardware

Depth Rating

300 feet / 92 meters

Weight in Water

Adjustable Buoyancy / Trim

Weight in Air

Variable depending on system setup
TBA typical housings setup

Warranty

2 Years Renewable. Gates Warranty Details

Camera Equipment Required

See Supported Equipment Tab

Port Options

The best camera in the world can't make up for poor optics. Poor optical design and materials introduce ‘image killers’ – distortions, aberrations, degraded resolution, or vignetting. Gates family of Precision Ports are sharp and clear: the finest optics for the finest underwater images. No image killers. Professional to amateur, super wide to macro, Gates Precision Ports suit a wide range of needs, conditions and experience. Of course all ports are backed by our legendary customer support and the same standard of excellence expected of all Gates products.

60-Series Ports

SP60-6 Dome Port

The SP60-6 is a 6in / 152 mm spherical dome port that preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging. Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.
Key Features

Versatile

For medium to wide and fisheye imaging, the SP60-6 supports a wide variety of lenses

AR Coated Glass

The SP60-6 is available with either Acrylic / Perspex dome or BK7 Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass domes.

Field Serviceable

Field Serviceable and replaceable dome (acrylic / Perspex only)

Specifications

Material Options

Acrylic / Perspex

Anti-Reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture

5.6in / 142 mm Ø

Dome Spherical Diameter

6 in / 15mm

Depth Rating

150 ft/ 45 m

FP60 Flat Port

A simple, versatile port option for macro work or lenses that don't perform well with a dome port.
Key Features

Versatile

The FP80 supports a wide range of lenses for medium to macro imaging.

Acrylic (Perspex) Element

a practical material for field use, minor scratches can be polished out.

Compact Size

Fits perfectly with the Pro Action sleek profile.

Field Replaceable

The FP80 element is user-changeable in the field.

Specifications

Material

Optical grade Acrylic / Perspex (standard)

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture:

5.6in / 142 mm Ø

Depth Rating

150 ft / 45m

Optical Notes

Flat ports reduce Field of View (FOV) 20% underwater.

80-Series Ports

FP80 Flat Port

Due to its larger front element, the FP80 supports a variety of medium to macro lenses – including external zooms. A simple, versatile port option. Both Acrylic (Perspex) and Glass versions available.

Key Features

Versatile

The FP80 supports a wide range of lenses for medium to macro imaging.

AR Coated Glass

BK7 glass element with Anti Reflective (AR) coating is optional.

Shade

Shade choices include W075 (standard) and Macro (optional)

Field Replaceable

The FP80 element is user-changeable in the field.

Specifications

Material

Optical grade Acrylic / Perspex (standard)
Anti-reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass (optional)

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture:

7.4in / 189mm

Shades

W075 (standard)
Macro (optional)

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

Optical Notes

Flat ports reduce Field of View (FOV) 20% underwater.

SP80-8 Dome Port

The SP80-8 is an 8in / 203mm spherical dome port that preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging. Medium to macro, too, when paired with compatible macro zoom lenses. Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.

Key Features

Versatile

For medium to wide and fisheye imaging, the SP80-8 supports a wide variety of lenses

AR Coated Glass

The SP80-8 is available with either Acrylic / Perspex dome or BK7 Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass domes.

Field Serviceable

Field Serviceable and replaceable dome (acrylic / Perspex only)

Specifications

Material Options

Acrylic / Perspex
Anti-Reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture

7.5in / 190mm

Dome Spherical Diameter

8in / 203mm

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

SP80-10 Dome Port

The SP80-10 is a 10in / 254mm spherical dome port that, like it's smaller SP80-8 sibling preserves field of view (FOV) underwater for wide to fisheye imaging. The SP80-10 however, exhibits superior compatibility with rectilinear lenses, mitigating the soft corners classically found with dome ports in general. This particularly beneficial with certain cinema PL mount glass like Arri Master Primes and Ultra Primes.

The SP80-10 is available in Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass only.

Key Features

Superior Rectilinear Compatibility

For medium to wide and fisheye imaging, the SP80-10 excels at rectilniear imaging, particularly with PL mount cinema lenses.

AR Coated Glass

The SP80-10 is made of optically pure BK7 Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass domes.

Versatile

The SP80-10 is compatible with hundreds of lenses. See Gates Compatibility Reference.

Specifications

Material Options

Anti-Reflective (AR) coated BK7 glass

Element Diameter / Clear Aperture

7.5in / 190mm

Dome Spherical Diameter

10in / 254mm

Depth Rating

450ft / 137m

Specialized Port / Adapters

MLA60 Macro Probe Lens Adapter

In collaboration with Venus Optics, the Gates MLA60 Probe Lens Adapter allows full submersion of the Laowa 24mm Macro Probe lens for truly unique macro imaging perspective. A long, tubular barrel with tiny lens tip can extend into the smallest of spaces, yet provide a remarkable 84° FOV, 2:1 magnification, and infinity focus. Further, the Laowa 24mm Macro covers full frame *and* larger sensors like RED Monstro from a standard Canon or Nikon mount.

Learn more about the MLA60 Macro Probe Lens Adapter

Key Features

Unique 'Goby-Eye' Perspective

The Laowa 24mm Macro Probe lens offer remarkable 2:1 Magnification, wide 84° at the tiny lens tip and infinity focus.

Full Housing Integration

The MLA60 directly adapts iris / focus functions to the housing controls. Optional LED ring light power cable with on/off switching.

7in / 178mm probe extension

Collaboration with Venus Optics allows for full submersion of the 24mm Macro Probe while retaining generous barrel extension.

Specifications

Required Components

Laowa 24mm Macro Probe lens
Full set of SPR60 Stackable Port Rings

MLA60 Construction

Anodized Aluminum
Stainless Steel
ABS Polymer gears (3D Printed)

Weight, Packing

1.3 lbs / 0.6 kg

Depth Rating

100 feet / 30 m

Warranty

2 Years . Gates Warranty Details.
Laowa lens covered by separate warranty. Contact Venus optics for details.

MLA60 / Laowa Macro Probe Lens Test Footage

MLA60 / Laowa 24mm Macro Probe test footage courtesy of Jeff Hester / Diatom Studios

Laowa Test Footage from Diatom Studios on Vimeo.

Custom Ports

Custom Port

Gates Precision Ports extend to custom designs for specific applications like underwater UV imaging or Corrective Optics (CO) that adapt a specific lens for underwater imaging, and eliminating distortions / aberrations. Contact Gates to discuss your particular application.